As summer zooms to an end, and school and work routines begin, there’s often lots of talk about how hard it can be to get back in the swing of things. If you’re a person with ADHD or have a child with ADHD, you know that changing routines or settling into new ones can be especially difficult. Children with ADHD have lower levels of dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin. These low levels contribute to difficulties with focusing, memory, time management, moods, and more. The good news? Today we’ll discuss three supplements that we offer here at Innovative Rx, our compounding pharmacy in Kearney, NE, that may support improvements in focus and attention, making day-to-day tasks easier and less frustrating. 

Fish Oil + Omegas

Fish oil is well known for its omega content and its variety of positive impacts on health. But did you know it’s also great for reducing brain fog and improving focus? Omega 3s affect nearly every aspect of neurotransmission in the brain. Therefore, low levels of omega 3 can cause noticeable difficulty. When introducing the appropriate amount and type of omegas into your child’s supplementation routine, you may notice reduced inattention, improved sleep, and increased memory and learning capacity. 

Magnesium Threonate

There are several forms of magnesium available, so it is important to ensure you get the right type of magnesium for your child to see benefits related to ADHD. Magnesium is an important component in the processes that create dopamine and serotonin in the brain. Therefore, the consequences of low magnesium levels can lead to exacerbated ADHD symptoms. Magnesium Threonate has been shown to improve mood and cognition while reducing anxiety. Another benefit to this mineral is that it works quickly without needing time to build up in the body as other supplements and medications do, offering fast relief to your child. 

GABA

GABA, short for Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid, is a neurotransmitter responsible for blocking impulses between nerve cells in the brain. It helps to slow the brain down and reduce the amount of nervous system-related messages that can be sent at a time. Understandably so, it is known for producing a calming effect when present in adequate amounts. Too little of this neurotransmitter can present symptoms of anxiety, mood shifts, and even seizures. On the other hand, supplementing your child with GABA can offer an improvement in mood, a reduced “buzzing” feeling in the brain, an improvement in your sleep, and a reduction in stress and anxiety. 

It is important to remember that these supplements are not a cure for ADHD but they are an excellent way to support the improvement of symptoms in the absence of prescription medication, or as a support to get your child back on track with medication. As there are shortages of several ADHD medications at present, these supplements are also great alternatives if your child is affected and has to go without medicinal support entirely. As with all supplementation, it is best to consult with your child’s provider and pharmacist to ensure there are no contraindications to any medications that they may currently be taking. Dosages may vary from person to person for optimal results. Click here to schedule a consult to determine if any of these supplements are right for your child. We look forward to helping you find solutions that improve the comfort, health, happiness, and quality of life of your family.